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Having the Time of Your Life in AMERICA !

Having the Time of Your Life in AMERICA !. Orientation Agenda. Let’s Get Comfortable! What to Expect this year Adaptation Process Symptoms of Culture Shock American Values Expectations and Responsibilities Host family Student School Local Coordinator Rules and AYA Policies

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Having the Time of Your Life in AMERICA !

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  1. Having the Time of Your Lifein AMERICA !

  2. Orientation Agenda Let’s Get Comfortable! What to Expect this year • Adaptation Process • Symptoms of Culture Shock • American Values • Expectations and Responsibilities • Host family • Student • School • Local Coordinator • Rules and AYA Policies • Disciplinary Process • Effective Problem Solving • Student Safety • Communication Channels • Staying Connected

  3. Adaptation Process

  4. Adaptation Process • Honeymoon High • Culture Shock • Cultural Adjustment • Adaptation

  5. Culture Shock Symptoms of Culture Shock: No energy/exhausted Anxious Feel sick Extreme homesickness Crying for no reason Extreme anger Psychological disorientation What can you do? Leave Deny or fight it Accept and talk about it

  6. American Values • Individualism • Competitive • Direct and informal communication • Patriotic • Timeliness

  7. Expectations of your Host Family • Most do not live in big houses and most are not rich • Majority of your HF’s are middle class Americans • Most AYA host families live in small towns and rural areas • Prepare to embrace small town life • Most families need to drive long distances to get to town/movies/shopping • Big fish in a little pond

  8. American Host Families • Host families come in all shapes and sizes • Older parents with no children • Single parents with children • Larger families with young children • All of your host families have one thing in common: • Chose to host you for free • Volunteering to make you part of their family • Want to get to know you and about your country

  9. Responsibilities of Host Families • Welcome student as a family member • Provide students with own bed & place to study • Provide all meals except school lunches • Provide transportation to & from school and religious services • Help student adjust: school, language, homesickness, culture shock

  10. Your Responsibilities: • Follow ALL AYA program rules • Maintain C+ average or better in all classes • Treat your Host Family with respect • Respect rules for computer, curfew, homework, dating, phone, meals, chores • Help with chores • Clean up after yourself • Be involved with Host Family activities • What about church? • Will I travel? • Show appreciation • Take care of personal expenses • School lunches (non-grant students) • Social activities • Toiletries • Clothing • School supplies • Prom tickets • Yearbook

  11. Rules & Expectations • Zero Tolerance Rules: • Must abide by all U.S. laws • No drinking/drug use • No driving • Expulsion from school • Family Rules • Abide by all family rules including household chores and curfews • Behavioral expectations • Positive attitude towards school, family and community • Ask if you are unsure about a rule • Think before you act • Refrain from posting negative or inappropriate comments on social media sites

  12. Social Media Circumstances that will result in disciplinary action: • Inappropriate or passive aggressive comments about the host family, the home or the placement in general • Culturally inappropriate posts, including derogatory political cartoons, lewd posts or images containing sexually explicit content and/or expletives • Photographs of students in compromising situations, where they appear to be drinking, smoking or engaged in behavior unbecoming of an exchange students • Provocative photographs of students wearing revealing clothing or engaged in displays of affection • Discovery of messages or posts revealing breach of program rules

  13. Rules and Expectations Disciplinary process • Mediation • Warning • Probation • Disqualification

  14. Rules and Expectations Host Family Changes • Considered a last resort • Expected to make a concerted effort to adjust to your host family • Not moved based on simple dislike of your location, style of housing or host family • Unless there is a safety concern you are expected to stay with your assigned family • You may not change families at will or without permission from AYA National office • 30 day rule

  15. Rules and Expectations • Travel Policy • Independent Travel Form -If you want to travel without your host family, the AYA office must have written permission from your natural parents for the trip. • Must contact your Local Coordinator at least two weeks in advance • Activities or travels that include your host family, or Local Coordinator do not require special permission • Students may not travel without an adult • Friends and family may visit at the end of the program only.

  16. American High School • Grade level and class schedule is assigned by school administrator • Graduation/Diploma is not guaranteed • Must take English and U.S. history • Transportation to school: school bus, city bus, carpool, HF, walking, friend (HF permission) • Lunch alone? Approach another student • Need help? Guidance counselor • Lost? Ask another student, teacher or guidance counselor

  17. School Responsibilities • Must attend school daily • Participate and complete assignments • Follow all school rules • Treat teachers with respect • Maintain a C+ Average • Serve as an ambassador for your country and help Americans learn about your culture • Must communicate in English

  18. Local Coordinator’s Role • Select safe and suitable Host Families • Enroll students in High School • Supervise & support students • Monthly contact with Students and Host Families • Submit monthly reports • Provide emergency assistance

  19. Effective Problem Solving • Identify the problem • Talk to HF or LC • Choose a good time to talk • Use “I” statements • Listen to other point-of-view • Explore a creative solution

  20. Student Safety Awareness & Prevention • Student Safety Video • Appropriate vs. Inappropriate behaviors & interactions • Who to contact should you or a friend be in an unsafe situation • Local Coordinator • AYA office or AYA Emergency Service • 1-800-322-4678 or • 1-800-926-2506 • Any trusted adult (guidance counselor, law enforcement, parent of a friend) • Department of State • 1-866-283-9090 • Insurance • Covers required treatment by a physician, confinement in an infirmary or hospital, services of a nurse • Does not cover dental work, eye exams, routine physicals, sports exams, psychological treatment • In-network physician; www.caremed-assistance.com

  21. Regional Directors & Support Staff Lisa Fealy P: (203) 399-5069 E: Lfealy@aifs.org Nikki Hernandez P:(203) 399-5080 E: nhernandez@aifs.org Pieter Hogoboom P: (203) 399-5079 E phogoboom@aifs.org Michael Falvey P: (203) 399-5086 E: mfalvey@aifs.org Margot Manasevit P: (203) 399-5086 E: MManasevit@aifs.org Student Support Administrator Elizabeth Azeizat P: (203) 399 – 5097 E: Eazeizat@aifs.org

  22. Chain of Communication

  23. Volunteerism & Special Opportunities • SAGA • Participate in AYA contests and activities • Take part in cultural activities

  24. Stay Connected • Stay connected with AYA • Quarterly Surveys • Connections • LC of the Month • Erin Sesil: Esesil@aifs.org • Current email addresses

  25. Make memories that last a lifetime!

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